Equitable Access

Ways a teacher can provide their class equitable access to technology

Part of the sixth National Education Technology Standard is the need for teachers to assist in providing all students equitable access to technology resources. This assistance can be provided in many ways and could include keeping current on organizations that provide assistance in this area, working with local businesses and organizations, and using their creativity to invent and search for affordable ways of providing technological resources. Keeping current with organizations like the Alliance for Community Technology, The Benton Foundation, and the International Society for Technology in Education can be great resources for providing guidance on issues in the area of education technology. A local organization like the Boy Scouts of America is another great resource. In many cases organizations like this are looking for community service projects that they can do to pass off requirements for advancement. This could include gathering used computers and donating those computers to local schools. Businesses are also always looking for ways they can help the community and could include donating used technology equipment. Finally, teaches using their creativity can invent and search for affordable ways to provide technology. This could include things like Johnny Chung Lee’s invention of a low cost interactive whiteboard using a Wii remote and LED pen. Teachers, out of necessity, are always coming up with great ideas that bring technology to their classrooms and save money in the process so it is always a great idea to collaborate with other teachers in your school and even outside your school.

References
International Society for Technology in Education . (n.d.). Educator Resources Equity. Retrieved May 2, 2009, from ISTE: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Equity&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=38&ContentID=13483

Lee, J. C. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2009, from Johnny Chung Lee: http://johnnylee.net/

Pollard, C., & Pollard, R. (2008). Teaching and Learning in a Digital World. Boise: ERC Publishing.